Less brain activity was recorded in volunteers when they used a SatNav

Previous UCL research has shown that the hippocampi of London taxi drivers expand as they learn ‘the Knowledge’, memorising the streets and landmarks of central London.

Dr Dean Burnett, a neuroscience lecturer at Cardiff University, said: “Most people manage a normal existence without taxing their navigation skills very much, but the taxi driver data suggests the more you do it, the better you are at it as your brain develops to facilitate it in response.

“If you want to become better at spatial navigation, then you should avoid satnavs where possible.

“If you just want to get to your destination with as little worry or effort as possible, then they’re fine.”

The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.

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